Roman Empire, and represent art at its lowest ebb. Most of
the Gnostic gems were designed for amulets, or to be carried
about as credentials. They were placed with deceased bodies
in tombs for safety against the power of demons, and are found
in great abundance in the ancient cemeteries of the Gauls. At
present, they are numerous in France and Italy ; some of the
finest Gnostic intagli are in the British Museum. It is
believed there are traces of Gnosticism among the sects in the
valley of the Libanus mountains, in Syria.
Cuphic gems. — These are precious stones engraved with
legends in the Cuphic or square Arabic characters arranged to
represent a cross or the letter Τ ; they were not used later
than the thirteenth century.
Raspe, in his catalogue of engraved gems, including both
antique and modern, of which there is any anthentic knowledge,
places the whole number at 15,833.
A list comprising the names of gem-engravers and a description of their works, together with the collections in which they
are found, has been prepared by Count de Clarac.
